As a huge fan of Robert Zemeckis' "Back to the Future" trilogy, I think one of the most memorable moments in the 1989 sequel has to be when Michael J. Fox's character, Marty McFly, puts on a pair of Nike Air 2015 sneakers that automatically lace themselves. Now, 21 years on (and counting), it seems Nike's at long last heard the cry from fans and mothers with butter-fingered kids.

It's all still in the early stages at this point, but it's better than nothing as word's out that the company with the signature swoosh has applied for a self-lacing-shoe patent. According to the writeup, the Nike Air Mag sneakers will light up and be equipped with a built-in battery that automatically fastens the strap with the push of a button.

It's unlikely we'll see the actual Nike Air Mag out in time for the trilogy's Blu-ray launch in October. But since the show was originally set in 2015, Nike's got another five years to rock 'n' roll in time for the show's 30th anniversary.

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Sneakerheads rejoice! Nike files patent for self-lacing sneakers, as seen in Back to the Future Part II. Come on Mattel, step up your game and get working on that hoverboard!

You're probably thinking about the 2008 Hyperdunks released in the very limited "McFly" colourway.

There was an event at House of Hoops LA where Kobe Bryant showed up in a DeLorean (yes, really) but from what I read it was insanely unorganized. People who lined up over 10 hours got shafted when everyone rushed the door at once. Even with "limit one per customer", it was ridiculous when some dude would show up with his two young kids and get three size 10.5s. Now they go for $800+ on eBay. But I digress...

after 25 years??? why so late??? was this a patent 25 years in the making??

does the nike company know something the rest of us don't? like a back to the future 4 movie??

Yeah,I realize that the back the future 2 movie,some scenes took place in the 2010 future time period.

How's nike going to launch this ad, "hey fans it's the sneakers from the back to the future 2 movie."

i'm really curious how nike is going to try to promote & sell these to todays kids who never saw the back to the future movies.

will nike sell the future shoes with back to the future dvd movies,a bag of pop corn & candy??

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The reason for the long time gap is because the shoes in the film are from the year 2015, so that is when people think they will come out. Trust me, these things will sell like hotcakes. People have been waiting since they were kids watching BTTF2 in the theater to own real life versions of Marty's sneakers. It's just like us TF fans ans Unicron. We waited years to finally own him, and when he arrived we bought him.

They then tried to use the colroway on the Hyperdunk low, and Universal kicked up a fuss about it.

Let me put this in context a little.

Both Nike, and Tinker Hatfield (Nike's uber-designer...responsble for much of Nike's success) himself, hold many patents.

Hatfield, and a few of Nike's other top designers, Eric Avar, Tom Ludeckie (sp?
work in 'top secret' office in Nike's HQ called "The Kitchen". They aren't charged with product development, just innovation.

The fact that features on the Air Mag have been patented doesn't necessarily mean Nike intend to make it... although some elements of the shoe may make it into other shoes.

...on top of which there's the price.

Nike were never good value for money, but the last few years they've been getting extra grabby.

Kobes are 130 + tax for a low cut shoe with an entirely synthetic upper, and very little in the way of actual air bags.

Lebrons carry a tag of $160 + Tax, for what is a very standard full air max hoops shoe.

How much do you think a pair of Air Mags with motorised lacing system and a light up logo will cost?

If these are ever made, they'll be aimed (priced) at the hardcore sneakerheads who would happily spend $500 + on a pair of sneakers, and unless you have connections, or are willing to do the "campout" they may slip through your hands.

^And the Kobe and LeBron shoes are actually top-notch when it comes to performance. I'm surprised you didn't mention retro Air Jordans, where not only are we usually talking about 15, 20+ year old technology but they're also using cheaper materials and keep jacking up the prices. And of course I'm one of the suckers who keep buying.

I totally agree with you regarding Nike making them limited. The hype on the Air Mags is already crazy to begin with (since 1989), I foresee campouts weeks in advance. Riots will ensue.